Star Rail: Becoming Kiana at the Start

Unfortunately, Aha was an exception.

Because Aha's abilities and methods were too terrifying, it was involved with almost all the Aeons. It had even infiltrated the Star Rail as a mortal, lurking on the train for over a year before finally seizing an opportunity and blowing half the train and a planet to smithereens.

"Join the City Builders..."

It was just Kliper's turn when Aha interrupted him again.

Pointing at 0 Kliper, Aha then said to Kiana, "This big rock, Zero, is the Aeon of Preservation. It's always either building walls or on its way to build walls. Its Path ability is to put up shields and protect teammates."

Kliper: While what you said isn't wrong, why does it sound so uncomfortable to me?

"May all sentient beings achieve what they seek."

"Oh right, this guy is the Pharmacist, the Aeon of Abundance. If you follow the Path of Abundance, you'll be the so-called healer. And by the way, he has a male body with a female appearance, not a flat-chested young woman."

Pharmacist: ...

It was only because the Pharmacist had a good temper and responded to prayers that he didn't just smash people with the rice stalk in his hand.

Kiana suddenly felt that Paths and Aeons were just like this.

What else could Kiana say but to comment, "As expected of you, Aha."

If Aha's true form wasn't missing and a mere clone's power was already beyond everyone else's, given Aha's mischievous nature, it would have been hunted down long ago.

Look at the miserable Pharmacist, how long has Lan been chasing him? But Aha, it's still full of joy every day.

Suddenly, Kiana remembered a way to intuitively determine someone's identity based on their Path affiliation.

That was to throw an Abundance pest into a crowd.

Those running with the pest were followers of Abundance and Joy;

Those chasing the pest were followers of The Hunt and Joy;

Those attacking both sides were followers of Destruction and Joy;

Those putting up shields were followers of Preservation and Joy;

Those laughing heartily were followers of Joy;

Those standing still were followers of Nihility and Joy;

Those babbling nonsensically were mysterious followers and followers of Joy;

Those pulling people apart were followers of Harmony and Joy;

Those forming factions were followers of Ensemble and Joy;

Those pontificating were followers of Intellect and Joy;

Those taking pictures with cameras were followers of Memory and Joy;

Those arriving by train were followers of Pioneer and Joy.

"Stop daydreaming, hurry up and choose. Once you've chosen, we can move on to the next topic. Aha has been wanting to watch the fun for a long time."

Kiana clicked her tongue. However, there were too few choices: Destruction, Preservation, and Abundance. Destruction might correspond to her Herrscher identity, Preservation was due to the will of the Kaslana family, and Abundance might be the Shaniyat family.

After careful consideration, Kiana made her choice and finally chose Abundance.

Aha was right about one thing: Kiana was definitely a seedling of Joy, because Kiana didn't want to be a healer.

Instead, she wanted to use the power of Abundance to help her teammates, then suddenly pick up her weapon and punch the enemies with all her might. How interesting would that scene be?

Aha also guessed Kiana's thoughts from her expression and, ignoring the strange looks from those around, burst into laughter.

Next, it was time to choose a faction.

But since Aha had actively recruited her, the few Aeons who were originally interested in recruiting Kiana chose to leave.

However, if Kiana had to choose, she really didn't want to choose Aha and become an Envoy of Joy.

No matter how generous Aha was now, or how much it seemed to care for her, thinking about Aha's past actions and the trouble it had caused over the years, Kiana truly feared that as soon as she became a member of Joy, she would be tricked.

"You look conflicted. Relax, relax. I can make you Aha's Envoy, but it won't be exposed to others. So you don't have to worry about being wary of that little mascot on the train, Akiwilli."

Kiana, who had been conflicted, immediately made up her mind after hearing Aha's words.

No, I absolutely cannot become an Envoy of Joy. Aha had blown up the train before. What if Pom-Pom noticed something and got angry?

"No, I'd rather..."

"Don't refuse. But Aha isn't like those other guys; they aren't so petty. So I can help you twice. You just need to shout 'Aha is so awesome,' and I'll help you, hahaha..."

As Aha's laughter echoed, Kiana opened her eyes and saw everyone before her fighting the "Cocolia" formed by the Stellaron. The original Cocolia herself had been imprisoned in a cage that sealed the Stellaron.

If there weren't two Cocolias here, the situation would have returned to its proper course.

"Wait a minute, the missing Stellaron, and then the Stellaron turned into this... could this also be the Stellaron's doing?"

No one paid attention to the awakened Kiana, because the Stellaron had already raised its ice spear.

"Why resist? Why reject the arrival of a new era? Since that's the case, then let you become the cornerstone of the new century!"

As she ascended, the Creation Engine behind her was activated, and countless Void creatures also appeared nearby.

Even though they were all Pathwalkers, facing such a situation still left them struggling to escape, until Himeko's voice came through.

"We saw it on the train, how this big guy got up. However, the surrounding energy was too chaotic, and the railgun was subjected to unknown interference, making support impossible. We'll retreat for now and come to support you immediately."

Listening to Himeko's voice, Kiana felt the chaotic energy and the interference with the railgun, suspecting it was Aha's doing again.

Moreover, the other party had no intention of hiding their presence. Whether it was their true form or just a clone, their voice reached Kiana's ears.

"Hahaha, it seems you've encountered a crisis. I heard there's a saying in the Xianzhou trade called 'inspecting the goods'? Aha finds it interesting. Aha wants you to inspect the goods too, so let Aha let you experience the power of Joy."

"I remember you said you were frustrated by your uncontrollable mouth. Come on, shout the password, then say the coolest line. Aha will help you out now. It has to be cool, okay!"

Just as the group on the Creation Platform was about to retreat, they heard the previously unconscious Kiana suddenly exclaim.

"Damn, Aha is so awesome!"

Whether it was because of the sudden snow falling around them or because Kiana deliberately drew out the last syllable, the others heard it as:

"Damn Aha, so awesome!"

Chapter 43: Heavenly Fire, Draw!

"Hahaha..."

Accompanied by bursts of laughter, Kiana felt her body filled with power. She recalled what Aha had said earlier, that this was the time to say a cool line and turn the tide.

However, Kiana had lost the mood to play along with Aha anymore. She watched as the Creation Engine punched the ground because the railgun couldn't fire. Even though March 7th used the power of Preservation to block most of the damage, Everyone, without exception, sustained considerable injuries.

Especially March 7th, who was at the forefront. Bright red blood trickled down her forehead, and her exposed skin was crisscrossed with bloody gashes from the flying debris. Drops of blood fell to the ground.

Kiana felt a string in her mind snap.

On this planet of ice and snow, at this moment of human crisis, when the people beside her were threatened.

As someone from the Kaslana family, what line could be more fitting than this?

As Kiana's voice fell, a golden spectral greatsword slowly solidified and appeared in her hand.

The surrounding temperature also began to rise rapidly.

"Regardless of choice, regardless of survival."

"At this moment, the ideals of all converge into a single great wish."

"This time, I'll put my life on the line, just to save the people I care about!"

"Heavenly Fire, Draw!"

The soaring flames, like the fire of the sun, shot directly towards the joint of the Creation Engine, which had just retracted its fist and was preparing to attack again.

As the explosion subsided, everyone discovered that the joint of the Creation Engine's arm had melted into molten iron. A giant mechanical severed arm crashed onto the platform with a "boom."

"Tch, just a futile struggle. How many times can you use that kind of power?"

And as "Cocolia" said, this ability could only be used temporarily with Aha's assistance. Whether it was because of the Sacred Relic of the Heavenly Fire or Aha's power, Kiana felt like her body was about to explode.

She had intended to launch another strike to completely defeat the Creation Engine or directly eliminate the mastermind behind everything.

Alas, the light of a firefly only lasts for a moment.

The Heavenly Fire greatsword in Kiana's hand dissolved into specks of light and vanished into the air. The power granted by Aha had completely dissipated. Without the support of that power, Kiana instantly lost most of her strength, not even having the power to keep herself suspended in the air.

Fortunately, before Kiana could hit the ground, Seele flashed forward and reached the spot where Kiana was about to land, catching her.

"Don't try to be a savior all by yourself. But it seems you weren't lying. What you said in the lower district was true."

March 7th and Kiana, who were the most severely injured, were taken to the rear of the group.

Kiana also personally witnessed Stelle embracing the Path of Preservation, wielding the blazing spear, and leading everyone to victory, just like the first Supreme Guardian facing an enemy from beyond the stars.

The real Cocolia might have given up, or perhaps she hadn't given up on the future promised by the Stellaron. But seeing Stelle holding the blazing spear, she saw the shadow of the past Supreme Guardians and the will of Amber in her.

"It seems I was truly wrong."

But then she noticed her daughter suddenly kneeling at the spot where her Stellaron-transformed self had just vanished.

"Mother... have you woken up from your dream?"

Bronya looked at the aurora in the sky, as if mourning her mother's passing, and murmured.

Beside her, Seele was no longer like before. Instead, like a wife, she stood silently by Bronya's side, pulling her up and wiping away the tears that welled up in Bronya's eyes.

"Um... I know this might ruin the mood, but isn't Cocolia still alive? Did you get too carried away and forget that Cocolia herself is still hanging up there?"

Kiana, who had embraced the Path of Abundance, had already recovered her health. March 7th's injuries had also been treated.

However, Kiana couldn't understand why Bronya was acting as if Cocolia were dead. Speaking of which, Cocolia was locked in the cage meant to seal the Stellaron. Had no one gone to check on her?

Bronya: ...

Seele: ...

The movements of their hands froze. They had been too focused on the fight. Seeing that familiar face and hearing that familiar voice made Bronya forget that it wasn't her real mother.

Looking up at Cocolia, still in the cage high above with a strange expression on her face.

Bronya felt that she and Seele wouldn't need to buy a house in the future, because it was too awkward. They had already dug out a three-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment with their feet.

After finally rescuing Cocolia, the awkward atmosphere in the arena did not diminish in the slightest; instead, it tended to intensify.

To ease the awkwardness, Kiana decided to sacrifice herself for the good of everyone.

"Ms. Cocolia, do you remember me?"

"You are?"

Hearing someone speaking to her, Cocolia quickly snapped back to attention and looked at Kiana, the white-haired ball of fluff before her. For some reason, she felt a sense of familiarity, yet she couldn't recall ever having met her.

"Oh, right. You haven't seen me in this form before."

Kiana then remembered that she had met Cocolia while disguised as Herta. Later, when Bronya came to capture her, Kiana ended up abducting Bronya. As for Pela, she hadn't even gotten a good look before Kiana knocked her out with a surprise blow.

"You must have seen me in this form before."

With that, Kiana transformed into Herta's appearance. But as she changed, Kiana suddenly remembered a problem.

"Wait a minute, Bronie is also a genius hacker, practically another Silver Wolf. Why don't I try to control the Creation Engine directly?"

She glanced at the Creation Engine, whose arm she had just severed, and decided not to voice her thought.

Cocolia, however, recognized Kiana after a glance.

After all, she had taken an instant liking to her upon meeting, and someone who called her "Grandma Cocolia" right away was likely unforgettable.

"To be honest, I'm actually Bronya's future daughter, born from her and Seele..."

Seeing two figures suddenly appear beside her, Kiana felt a chill down her spine and quickly changed her words.

"Just kidding! Look, my hair color is wrong. See the tips of my hair? Actually, I'm the future child born from you and Serval, Bronya's younger sister, Bronie."

Cocolia remained silent for a long time. Listening to Kiana's two statements, she felt that the awkwardness had dissipated.

Because her CPU had already fried.

Chapter 44: Stir-Fried Potato Shreds with Ginger Shreds

Just as Cocolia felt her CPU was about to burn out, the sound of footsteps crunching on snow echoed from a distance. Everyone turned their heads and saw Serval appearing not far away.

Since Kiana hadn't lowered her voice, her words carried clearly through the silent snowfield to Serval's ears.